The Power of Your Voice

Self-advocacy is a critical skill for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals navigating the need for accommodations in workplaces and schools. While there are legal safeguards in place, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, having the ability to speak up and actively communicate specific needs is essential. It not only leads to ensuring important accommodations are successfully implemented, but also that an equitable environment is present. 

Tips for Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy can be hard, especially when entering a new, unfamiliar environment, school or job. However, there are a number of things that can be done to alleviate some of the stress and help when it comes time to request necessary accommodations. Here are a few tips for effectively speaking up. 

1. Know your Rights: It is difficult to advocate for yourself if you do not know your rights and protections. Become familiar with disability laws and gain an understanding and awareness of these rights and protections. The websites of government agencies, such as the U.S.Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) website, are great places to start and provide a wealth of information.

2. Be Specific: Provide as many direct details about the accommodations that are needed, such as a preferred interpreter service or the type of phone required. Make sure to also request these accommodations as soon as possible, so they can be ready and available as soon as possible when they are needed.

3. Educate others: While an employer should be aware of legal obligations, some places, especially smaller organizations, may not be aware of required accommodations. If needed, share about legal obligations and the accommodations that should be made available for those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.

4. Be consistent, courteous and confident: Maintaining consistency and confidence with requests and messaging ensures you receive exactly what you need, and makes any follow-up easier. While advocating for yourself can be frustrating, and stressful at times, do remember it will likely not be helpful to be disrespectful or unkind. 

5. Maintain Self-Awareness: While it may seem easier to hide a hearing loss, it will make it harder to receive what you need to learn or work, so be willing to share to ensure accommodations are present. Learn about what works well for you and any preferences you have, as well, before requesting accommodations, so that you can be concise and direct. While an exact request may not be available, such as a specific interpreter, it is helpful to have a solid idea of what works well and will be most beneficial.

6. Prepare and plan: Before beginning a job or attending a school, learn about their accommodation options. Look into a workplace or school’s accessibility policy on their website, and possibly contact them if needed. Also, ensure that you know who to request accommodations from, whether it is a specific individual, such as your direct supervisor, or an office or department that handles them. 

Protecting Rights and Positivity

In case issues arise, or protected accommodations are not met, document as much as possible, including any requests made and responses to requests. Everyone also has the right to an equitable environment, and if feeling frustrated or discouraged, remind yourself that the deaf and hard-of-hearing community brings a wealth of unique knowledge to the workplace and different perspectives of the world. 

While stepping into the role of a self-advocate can feel challenging, remember that every conversation is an important step for future success and a vital step toward fostering equitable and inclusive workplaces and schools. Knowing your legal protections, planning your requests, and communicating with consistency and confidence, empowers you to take charge of your environment, whether you’re in a classroom or meeting room. Following these tips and confidently communicating your needs will help make the academic or professional environment you deserve more accessible.